"They say being born without Mana is a curse. For me, it was simply my reality."
In the neon-lit streets of Tokyo, where S-Rank Hunters soared between skyscrapers, I was nothing but a shadow.
I'm: Ryu Jin-Ho.
Age: 18.
Status: 12th Grade Student.
Identity:
[Rank: F-Minus]
Even the most advanced Mana-meters couldn't detect a single spark of energy within me. I wasn't a hero. I am the lowest rank of society, destined to carry the heavy burdens of those chosen by fate.
"Hey, Zero! Stop daydreaming and move these boxes to the 12th section!" The manager's harsh voice cut through the silence of the library.
I worked part-time at the Grand Archives Library. Sorting dusty books and hauling heavy crates was all I was worth.
It was 11:00 PM. The library was deathly still. The smell of old parchment and dust filled the air as I reached the furthest corner of the 'Forbidden History' book . As I shoved a book back into place, my hand brushed against a cold, metallic lever hidden behind the shelf.
CLICK.
The heavy bookshelf groaned and slid aside, revealing a pitch-black passage leading deep underground. "What... is this?" My heart hammered against my ribs. A secret chamber beneath the library?
Driven by a mix of fear and desperation, I descended.
The sight at the bottom stole the breath from my lungs. It was a cavern of ancient stone, and at its center pulsed a Dark Purple Portala—beating like a living heart.
As I stepped closer, an irresistible pull dragged me toward the swirling vortex. I found myself inside a void where time felt meaningless. In the center of that infinite darkness, something glowed with a haunting light.
An Ancient Sword.
It floated in the air, its blade humming with ripples of dark purple and black energy. Without thinking, I reached out and gripped the hilt.
"AAHHHHHH!"
The moment my fingers closed around it, it felt as if a thousand bolts of lightning were surging through my veins. My chest felt like it was being ripped apart from the inside. Suddenly, the world around me slowed down to a crawl—Time Delay. I could see the portal collapsing, shrinking inch by inch.
My body was screaming in pain, but the sheer instinct to survive pushed me forward. I lunged out of the closing portal just in time, collapsing onto the cold cavern floor. The sword didn't just disappear—it felt like it was melting, fusing directly into my soul.
I crawled back up the stairs, every inch of movement feeling like my bones were turning to liquid. Reaching the library floor, I left a trail of blood on the polished wood before my vision finally went black.
The Next Morning
At 8:00 AM, the head manager, Mr. Kim Hyun-Jae, opened the main gates as usual. He held a cup of coffee, humming a soft tune. But as he turned the corner into the 12th section, his cup shattered on the floor.
"What is this?!" Kim hyun screamed.